Franz Wagner unavailable for indefinite period with Orlando
The German forward for the Magic is still suffering from his left ankle injured in December. A new evaluation will take place in three weeks to determine his return to the court.
Feb 11, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) during warmups before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Franz Wagner will not return to the court anytime soon. The Orlando Magicforward will be unavailable for an indefinite period due to persistent pain in his left ankle, according to ESPN. Recent tests have confirmed that the German player needs more time and rehabilitation before he can return to the court.
The Magic will reevaluate Wagner’s condition in three weeks. This news is another major setback for Orlando, which had hoped to count on its star player after the NBA All-Star Game break.
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will be sidelined indefinitely after recent tests showed that he requires additional time and rehabilitation for soreness in his left high ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN. The Magic will evaluate Wagner’s progress in three weeks. pic.twitter.com/ATPfPQQm1O
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 18, 2026
An injury lingering since December
Wagner has been suffering from this high left ankle sprain since December 7, during the game against the New York Knicks. Since that initial injury, the 6’6″ German has missed 25 of his team’s last 29 games. He has not been able to play more than two consecutive games since his injury.
In the 28 games played this season, Wagner is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, with 47.9% shooting from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range. These statistics confirm his importance in the Magic’s offensive system, which averages 117.2 points when he plays, compared to only 112.7 in his absence.
A trio decimated by injuries
Wagner’s extended absence perfectly illustrates the Magic’s difficulties this season. The trio formed by Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs has only been able to play together in 19 of the 135 regular season games played by Orlando over the past two years, representing only 14.1% of the time.
However, when these three players are on the court together this season, the Magic displays impressive percentages: 50.9% from the field and 39.6% from 3-point range, with a positive differential of 40 points over the 148 minutes shared.
Currently seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 28 wins and 25 losses, Orlando is only 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic resume competition Thursday night in Sacramento against the Kings, before facing Phoenix, the LA Clippers and the Lakers, all on the road.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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